Elle Marie celebrates Bday the Elmo way!

While the rest of the Metro Manila is still submerged in the flood caused by "Ondoy", we took time out and celebrated Elle Marie's 3rd year birthday party in Toddlers Unlimited today. It was a simple celebration just like last year. Elle Marie had her most loved - Elmo cake, cupcakes, and bag of goodies to share with her friends. She also gave away Elmo stuff toys to thank he friend for sharing this day with her.
As usual, I was almost in tears when I saw how happy Elle Marie was! She was smiling and posing (!) the whole time! She blew the three candles on her cake with a smile! When she saw the cake this morning in the car, she really loved it and doesn't want to get off the car! She showed everybody her new (bought last night) Elmo attire given by her Tita Nene! And she introduced her Tita Bebe, who took the day out from work just to be with her today, to her friends and teachers.I am happy that Elle Marie is happy and safe from the flood. I am happy for my two sisters who loves Elle so much.

Above all, I am happy that we are all safe from the disaster that was caused by Ondoy...

God bless!

Four days at work and still missing Elle Marie...

Last Saturday, we had lunch at Cloud 9, Antipolo. Elle Marie saw this painting inside the Cafe. She asked me to carry her just like in the painting and said "Mama, Elle Marie (while pointing to the painting). Baby, Elle Marie (while pointing to the baby and herself)"

How can I work and miss out being with my daughter, witnessing every milestone in her life, and taking part of every anecdotal stories that can be written about her? How can I wake up early in the morning to go to work and miss giving her a bath, singing the rainbow song with her, eat with her, and give her medicines? How can I spend the whole day reading about Gender and Development and miss watching her wash her own hands in school, seeing her run towards me with a giggle before ramp time, spending time with her in Starbucks and eating here favorite donut?

Partly, I can go to work because I know that my mother is here taking good care of Elle Marie. Nonoy is also home most of the time to watch her while working and I will be home as early as I can.

I am on my fourth day at work, and I am missing Elle Marie! more each day I know this feeling will never go away. I just hope that when Elle Marie grows up, she will understand what a great sacrifice this is for me. I have to work.

Thank God for Mama!

My mother is heaven sent.

She came just in time to save me from worrying about leaving Elle Marie with our new helper now that I have a new job. It was like a dream. One afternoon, I was praying in Greenbelt chapel when I received a call from GREAT Women saying that they would like me to join their organization the soonest and would like to meet up with me to discuss the details. Of course, I was flattered but I worried about Elle Marie. Then, I got a text from my friend's former helper, Lucy saying that she is joining us sooner than expected. I was a little relieved. But late in the evening, I was ecstatic when I got a call from my mother saying that she can now go to Manila and take care of Elle Marie! Who can better take good care of my daughter than my one and only mother! True to what she said, my mother arrived August 28 just 3 days before my first day with GREAT Women.
But, this is not the only thing that I am grateful of my mother. Now that I have experienced being a full-time mom as well as working mom, my heart goes out to my mother who took care of the four of us while teaching. Of course, my father was there but he was always out for work. My nanay, lolo, titas and tito were there but nothing compares to having your mother take good care of you. My mother said that she and my father are quite contented with life now since all of their children graduated already. Now my parents are reaping what they have sowed a few years back... and they deserve it!My heart bleeds everytime I remember the sacrifices that my mother has to experience so that I can study in Manila. I can't imagine the sleepless nights she had thinking of how I am in Manila while she is in Iloilo. Come to think of it, I can't think straight if I don't see Elle Marie in one day! How much more if I don't see her in more than 6 months?!! I think I would go crazy!There were a couple of times that my mother told me, that she can't feel my love for her. Maybe I am partly to be blamed because I am not expressive. But, if only my Mama could open my heart, she'll see how grateful I am to be her daughter. God knows how much I truly love her! Elle Marie adores her!

I love you Mama!!!